TestFire

Gods and Goddesses

Unionism has a concept referred to as Trans-Divinity. Trans-Divinity means that whatever their faith understands to be divine, is fluid and constantly changes based on interpretations. By standard, the Everwatcher is always the indisputably most important entity in Unionism. The Living Emperor is also a living Divine Being who should be worshiped as a god, though it is not illegal to acknowledge his sin of creation flaws from time to time. Below the Emperor and the Everwatcher are the God-Emperors and God-Empresses. When an Emperor or Empress dies, they are no longer divine, as the Vessel passes on to the next heir, but some Emperors or Empresses are raised up in the afterlife by the Everwatcher and sent back to Aloria to guide the people, during which process they are made Divine Beings. Finally, on the lower end of the spectrum are the Heroes of Unionism, which are also considered Divine Beings. Heroes are raised to divinity by the Concilly Council even while they are still alive, and continue to be worshiped after death. This all means that Unionism, as time goes by, gains more and more Gods and Goddesses, while other religions are fairly stagnant. Furthermore, it also means that it’s theoretically possible for other religions to merge into Unionism if their Gods and Goddesses can be proven to be real, and prove their divinity or past divinity. Unionists can combine a variety of Divine Entity worship. By default, all Unionists worship the Everwatcher, however, whoever else is worshiped additionally is up to the individual. Some worshipers choose only a single patron deity, while others choose a collection, or leave just a few out. There are no hard rules to Divine Being worship, in general they exist more as examples to live by, instead of a strict pantheon that demands worship.

The Everwatcher

Identity: Themes: Depictions: Worship: Manifestation: Individual: Worship House:

Theomar, Prophet of All

Identity: God Emperor Theomar, nicknamed the Sun-Father, first Emperor of the Regalian Empire and Prophet of Unionism. Themes: Theomar represents fatherhood, leadership, ambition, devotion and piety. He is remembered for his exceptional charisma and as a loving father who founded an imperial dynasty. Depictions: Theomar is often depicted holding up his hand, with the palm to the viewer. He is always depicted very dignified, and clothed in his royal purple and cream yellow robes, his favorite colors in life. Worship: Worship to Theomar is performed by writing prayers of good health and good fortune for children/employees/followers on pieces of paper and burning them in golden bowls. Manifestation: Theomar has manifested only during very significant events of religious importance, when the continued existence of Unionism hung by a thread, or when the power and influence of the other God Emperors or Empresses would simply not suffice for a task given by the Everwatcher. Individual: Theomar has never appeared to sole individuals, but rather during pivotal moments of the Empire’s history to provide blessings of protection and reinvigorated power. Worship House: Theomar’s main Temple is the Arch Temple of the All-Beacon in Regalia, buried beneath the shrine known as the Dias of Faith.

Ness, Lady of Forgiveness

Identity: God Empress Ness, nicknamed the All-Mother, was the wife of Emperor Henri I, Nessaria van Sherburne Themes: Ness represents Forgiveness, Acceptance, Repentance, Absolution, but also the Downtrodden, the Forgotten, the non-Ailor, and the Half-Ailor who feel abandoned. Depictions: Ness is always depicted in her mourning dress with her signature butterfly eye-covers worn after she was blinded for her unfaithfulness to her husband, carrying a golden Unionist Eye chain, along with a golden rose and two sets of rose-thorn stalks. Sometimes her statue has three infants around her pedestal to signify motherhood, and sometimes it has three chained criminals to signify the forgiveness she gave. Worship: Worship to Ness is done by lighting candles in silent vigil, or by seeking priests to find forgiveness for wronging others. Manifestation: Ness frequently manifests to those who believe in Unionism, but need the strongest forgiveness or cannot go on without help to learn to live with their grief, guilt, or torment Individual: Ness appears to individuals relatively often, even seen walking the streets of Regalia seemingly going nowhere. Worship House: Ness's main Temple is the Arch Temple of Salvation in Regalia. She is buried alongside her children: Emperors Bartholomeaux, Carvallais, Maxelle, and Leomar (the former three having been victims of assassination), and Arch-Chancellor Maenarra.

Juvin, Oracle of Knowledge

Identity: God Emperor Juvin, nicknamed the All-Knower, was the 11th Emperor of the Regalian Empire, Henri III Ivrae de Sange. Themes: Juvin represents piety and virtue, the perfection of learning, and thinkers. Depictions: Juvin is often depicted in simple garb with only minimal decorations and dull colors, bowing, kneeling or in some form of submissive stance. He is depicted tall and frail, with a bald head and a long robe that may sometimes also contain several scrolls and items that intellectuals use to ply their crafts. Worship: Worship to Juvin is done by lighting candles to his will in front of a shrine inside a bookshelf, while incense is lit to absorb the knowledge of the books, in the hopes that Juvin will give the worshipper the means to learn faster. Manifestation: Juvin rarely manifests, but all appearances have been reported in libraries or other places of learning. Individual: Juvin rarely appears to individuals, handing them exactly the one book they were looking for to embark on their journey, while that book was not even in the library to begin with. Worship House: Juvin's main Temple is the Arch Temple of Greater Understanding, where he is buried within the Inner Faith Chamber.

Almar, Jester of Justice

Identity: God Emperor Almar, nicknamed the Blind Jester, was the 13th Emperor of the Regalian Empire, Allamaria Ivrae Heiligenblut (surname different as he was culturally Wirtem). Themes: Almar represents Justice, Law, Honesty, but also of Leisure, Entertainment, Vanity, and Ego. Depictions: Almar is often depicted as a suave and handsome young man, always with either a blindfold or some kind of unraveling cloth disappearing from his eyes. He is also always depicted with a scale that weighs the value of crime and punishment for those who are subject to Almar’s laws. Worship: Worship to Almar is done by writing one's plan or thought on a piece of paper, and weighing it against a golden feather to determine if it is lawful and righteous (lighter) or unlawful and sinful (heavier). Manifestation: Almar is not known to manifest, but the Concilly Council still acknowledges him. Individual: Almar has never appeared to individuals. Worship House: Almar's main Temple is the Arch Temple of Eternal Justice, where the Inner Faith chamber holds his sarcophagus with his favorite scales resting on top that are said to weight the heaviness of a soul as they enter the chamber.

Allest, Lord of Domination

Identity: God Emperor Allest, nicknamed the Bear-Claw, was the 15th Emperor of the Regalian Empire, Allestrain I Ivrae de Sange. Themes: Allest represents Conquest, Rule, Brotherhood, and Fame. Depictions: Allest is depicted either in his massive bulky armor, or in some state of removal of this armor, in a victorious or intimidating stance. He is depicted tall and glorious with two large claymores, or scabbards holding his favorite swords: Blutkraft and Sangria, weapons that passed into Artifact Legend after his death. Worship: Worship to Allest is done by invoking his name before battle, and by ritually placing a weapon over a cloth soaked in an alcoholic beverage. Manifestation: Allest has manifested after the end of major battles, not to fight, but to mourn the losses on the battlefield with the survivors. Individual: Allest has never appear to the individual, though occasionally those who have lost lovers to the battlefield swear he has appeared in dreams for comfort. Worship House: Allest's main Temple is the Arch Temple of Perpetual Glory, where the Inner Faith Chamber contains his battle armor (as he was killed in battle and his body was never recovered).

Elia, Mistress of Victory

Identity: God Empress Elia, nicknamed the Brass Fist, was the Empress-Consort of Emperor Allestrain I, Eolaria Cadar. Themes: Elia represents fighting, combat, warfare, victory, love, and loss. Depictions: Elia is often depicted with her fist up, sometimes with or without her spiked war-glove Porcelain-Face, but always with her shield Draackenbuster by her side. She always wears a muscle-fitting bronze armor with a long crimson dress (which she did not wear into battle) complementing her crimson hair. Worship: Worship to Elia is to hold a diary, and to write down secrets and worries and lock it away into the stronghold-lockbox, a religious item that Unionists consider a great sin to steal from. Manifestation: Elia has never manifested, though many claim that she has appeared on select battlefields while the Empire was expanding, leading a divine charge. Individual: Elia has never appeared to individuals, though she left behind several holy Artifacts, most in the Imperial Palace. Worship House: Elia's main Temple is the Arch Temple of Unyielding Perseverance in Regalia, though the sarcophagus next to hers is empty, reserved for Emperor Allestrain I whose body remains missing to this day.

Vess, Liberator of Chains

Identity: God Emperor Vess, nicknamed the Freedom-Maker, was the 26th Emperor of the Regalian Empire, Vilgemar Ivrae de Sange. Themes: Vess represents happiness, liberty, liberation, freedom, and emancipation. Depictions: Vess is always depicted as a very youthful looking young man, wearing the traditional garb of the palace entertainers, and is always standing in some sort of playful position or pose that elicits some sense of playfulness or youthfulness. Worship: Worship to Vess is done by releasing wishes and prayers into budding flowers, and then placing said flower into a body of water to be released into the world. Manifestation: Vess has rarely manifested, though every time has been to smash the chains of a group of slaves, or freeing them from a burning barn or barrack. Individual: Vess has rarely appeared to enslaved individuals, offering them the keys needed to escape from their chains. Worship House: Vess's main Temple is the Arch Temple of Joyous Everwatch, where the Inner Faith Chamber contains his sarcophagus surrounded by a sea of broken chains, each belong to a slave he helped free.

Alexander, Mentor of Compromise

Identity: Divine Vessel Alexander is the current Emperor of the Regalian Empire, Alexander Kade Alltmeister. Themes: Emperor Alexander is the Divine Vessel of change, reform, compassion, compromise and mentorship. Depictions: Alexander is depicted in his full imperial regalia, with every government institute and office having a large life-size or greater painting or statue of Him. Worship: As the Vessel, Alexander is not worshipped directly, but rather through service to the Regalian Empire or by praying to the Everwatcher for his health and wellbeing. Manifestation: Alexander is still alive, and is frequently seen when holding Audiences at the Imperial Palace. Individual: As the Emperor, Alexander rarely interacts with individuals outside of public settings, though some nobles and faithful have been able to secure a personal audience with Him. Worship House: Alexander has no official Temples, though one would traditionally see many pilgrims traveling to the Imperial Palace and lighting candles near the front door as an offering of prayer.

Taal, Mother of Purity

Identity: Divine Heroine Taal is a still-living Divine Being who is the benefactor of the Belliard Guild. Themes: Taal represents purity, cleanliness, obedience to heritage and hierarchy, tradition, and customs. Depictions: Taal is always depicted in pure-white uniforms with golden trim, wielding a specialized Puretek weapon. Worship: Taal worship is usually not done, though she requires the faithful to be sure of their actions and banish any doubt, and that those wish doubt seek out confessional to rid themselves of what she refers to as “the first door through which evil enters the soul”. Taal also demands the immediate expulsion or termination of any Occult who step out of line, and the cleansing and curing of whatever can be cleansed and cured. Manifestation: Taal is still alive, and is frequently seen in Calemberg and the surrounding regions, but largely avoids coming to Regalia, working closely with the Darkwald Order and other Purist entities in the Empire. Individual: Taal rarely if ever interacts with the individual, though has sometimes appeared to save a would-be victim of Vampire or Cahal attacks. Worship House: Taal has no Temple, as living Heroes cannot have one, though it is assumed that one will be build in Calemberg after her death.

Borond, Lord of Seas

Divine Hero Borond is a still-living Divine Being recognized by the Concilly Council with goodhood, following petitions by Eronidas Unionists, as well as first-hand accounts of his assistance with a variety of Regalian engagements. Borond is a so-called integrated Divine Being, meaning he comes from a different religion originally. Indeed, Borond is identical to the Eronidas god Buru from the Asaredu religion, though there are a couple of differences. Borond is the god of the seas, of the military, or storms and rainfall, and of military ingenuity. He is seen as a guide to the Regalian Armadas and fleets, and a patron protector of merchant shipping. Borond’s shrine shows a depiction of his very Eronidas-looking appearance with the lower body of a shark or dolphin, next to a large gong. The Gong is a reference to the practice of Regalian Armada flagships to have a large gong close to the water, which can be struck in a matter of emergency. It is said that the gong reverberates into the seas, and can be heard by Borond, who has occasionally answered the call and appeared in dire circumstances to save a ship from sinking or being destroyed. In the home, the gong is struck merely ceremonially, while prayers for good winds and fair weather are made. Borond’s role in Unionism compared to Buru in Asaredu leads to some contentious conflict between Eronidas and Unionists (as the Eronidas consider Borond a false interpretation). At the same time however, Borond’s existence in Unionism is an easy way for Eronidas to quickly grow comfortable with Unionism, and a notable minority has converted. Borond is invoked by sailors, usually with a necklace, wooden carving or silver depiction of borond, praying for fair winds after which the necklace is kissed. His infrequent appearances to save Regalian ships from destruction has led to him being recognized as a God of another religion with distinct value for Unionism, thus becoming a Unionist God also. Wave-Born Asaredu worshipers are not acknowledged in Unionism. Unionists, contradicting Asaredu dogma, believe that Borond does reproduce with non-Eronidas, and that if they are Unionist, they are called Borr-folk. Borr-folk are born with webbed toes and feet as well as a prehensile shark-like tail and patches of dark shark skin (all of which are just aesthetic), though these are entirely rejected by the Asaredu faith.

Nicholas, Architect of Magnificence

Nicholas the Architect of Magnificence, (who may also go by the name Volodomyr in Krainivaya or Klaas in Anglian) was the 14th Arch-Chancellor of the Regalian Empire, and generally remembered fondly to be the best that the Empire ever had. Nicholas took the position when he was 16 years old, and would reign for 86 years, the longest reign of any Emperor or Arch-Chancellor, with a long list of accolades. Under Nicholas, many lands were conquered or subjugated through diplomacy, the economy soared, Unionism spread like wild-fire, and finally united all of the Archipelago under the Regalian banner. Nicholas had to learn on the job as it were, but quickly proved to be the most competent of rulers the Empire had ever seen, and was the architect of many of the Empire's greatest moments, as well as the increase of power of House Kade itself through skillful political marriage of his many sisters. Nicholas is always depicted in his Arch-Chancellor robes with his long hair and distinct frail appearance. Nicholas is always depicted in some mid-command or mid-statement pose, as if he is ready to lift or strike out his hand to give the order to unleash whatever machination he has stewed up. Nicholas's virtues are leadership, foresight, insight, good planning, longevity and excellent design. He is the patron of all politicians, barons, dukes, generals and admirals, army officers, aldormen, but also architects and artists and bankers. His often less discussed divine flaw is that of "holding on for too long", referring to the fact that he held the position of Arch-Chancellor for so long without resigning, that he condemned the Empire to a string of less-than-stellar Arch-Chancellors who never had the experience on the job to succeed his legacy. This example is often set to the Dukes and other political rulers of the Empire, to resign when it is time for a new generation to take over, so that they may take their own place in history, and not have to hurriedly fill the shoes of the past generation and fail in doing so. Nicholas has been known to appear before politicians to assist them in taking momentous decisions that changed the course of the Empire's history, as well as to fortify the resolve of young Emperors who have just come to the throne. Nicholas's name is invoked by politicians who seek the insight and foresight that he had, as well as for success in their endeavors. His name is also invoked by scholars to aid them with discovery of truth and attain the correct interpretation or dissertation of their subject. Nicholas's pilgrimage site is Nicholas's Temple in Axenfoort (one that is shared with Emended Unionism), a grand Unionist Temple specifically built in his honor. Nicholas's Temple has often been described as a "pincushion", as its spires are exceptionally sharp and many, imitating a cushion with many needles in it. Those that hold Nicholas in high regard often play a game called "Cross-Bearing Kings", which is a board-game simulation of court life, intrigue, marriage, and plotting. The goal of the game is to accrue as much land as possible each successive generation with skilled use of relatives and politics, to prove their virtues in comparison to Vlaas's accolades.

Elen, Lady of Rivers

Elen the Lady of Rivers, is another example of an integrated Divine Entity that finds its origin in the Breizh faith that existed before they adopted Unionism. Unlike Borond and Asaredu, the Breizh Faith was completely absorbed by Unionism as they only believed in Ailwen, the Lady of the Lake, with all tenets roughly compatible with Unionism, and their concepts adopted by Elen's virtues. Ailwen was renamed in common to Elen, and canonized by the Concilly Council as her divinity was proven, and her worth to the Great Way manifest in the actions of the Breizh under her guidance. Elen is the goddess of purpose, meaning, destiny, judgement and burdens. She is specifically considered the patron goddess of Unionist Mages and the Magically tainted, putting her in direct opposition with Taal, Mother of Purity. Elen is a somewhat complicated deiety because she is specifically known to have been a Magic user, and one who considers Magic to be a burden from the Everwatcher. Magic is a bit more complicated in Unionist dogma, because the clergy nor the Creed have ever really defined Magic (especially when born with Magic) as a flaw in the Everwatcher's creation, just that Magic users are usually corrupted. Elen's place and her role for the interpretation of Magic as such has always been dominated by the idea that to be Magic is bad, but to be Magic without purpose or meaning for the Great Way is worse, so Magic with purpose is actually acceptable so long as the soul is virtous. She represents a path that allows for Mages to be accepted by the Unionist community so long as they learn Magic solely for the good of the Empire and others and not for selfish reasons, and are guided under the strict moral supervision of the Emperor (who is accepting of Magic) and measure their worth and purpose based on how much they contribute to the Empire. Elen is always depicted in her Breizh linen, holding a pearl necklace of purpose, with her white feathered wings spread wide. Worship to Elen is performed through meditation and contemplation, and to seek out those who have strayed from the Unionist cause and re-commune with them. Elen's name is invoked by Magic users and those who are affected by the Occult, but also those who are impacted by the Occult. She is both prayed to for guidance and purpose by the non-Magically inclined, as well as to be protected from evil Occult, as much as she is worshiped by the Occult to give them a purpose and let their burden (their Magic) find a way to bring glory and benefit to the Empire and the Great Way. Elen has been known to manifest before those at a pivotal point in life where they feel their purpose is wavering, only for Elen to give them a vision or moral guidance with which to reinvigorate their destiny. Elen's Temple is the Temple of Divine Purpose in Kintyr, which is also home to the Unionist Seers. Seers are sort of like Celates, but not really, they are lay-priests who receive visions of Elen and help those who pilgrimage to the Temple with personal guidance on their road to redemption, or teaching them how to deal with whatever burdens they deal in life, magical or not magical.